Bloomberg gives gun legislation second wind

Despite being massively outspent, outlobbied and outmaneuvered, supporters of closing the gaping loophole in the state's gun background check laws came very close to passing a bill in the New Hampshire House in February.

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Posted Apr. 29, 2014 at 2:00 AM

Posted Apr. 29, 2014 at 2:00 AM

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Despite being massively outspent, outlobbied and outmaneuvered, supporters of closing the gaping loophole in the state's gun background check laws came very close to passing a bill in the New Hampshire House in February.

They came close because the overwhelming majority of citizens (some polls put the figure as high as 80 percent) believe that it is simply common sense to do what we can to stop guns from being sold to convicted felons, to people under restraining orders for domestic violence, and to people found mentally incompetent by the courts.

This same majority thinks it makes no sense to have 60 percent of commercial sales, which are made by federally licensed gun dealers, subject to background checks, while for 40 percent of sales, typically taking place at gun shows or online within the state, do not require background checks.

After the House background check bill was killed due to some parliamentary sleight of hand, we urged background check supporters to learn the hard lessons taught by the experience and to come back and fight another day.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appears to have been thinking along the same lines, because he has pledged $50 million to the comprehensive background check fight.

One of the primary beneficiaries of this funding is Moms Demand Action, whose 500-member New Hampshire chapter was co-founded by Portsmouth resident Janet Groat.

Moms Demand Action will join forces with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group founded by Bloomberg and former Boston Mayor Tom Menino. The two organizations will operate under the umbrella of a new organization called Everytown For Gun Safety.

Groat said Moms Demand Action will work to make gun background checks a campaign issue in the upcoming mid-term elections. She said her group will be engaged in "vigorous voter outreach" in the coming months.

"Moms can be a critical voice in moving this issue front and center," Groat said. "We're working from our passion and we're willing to keep this going."

But passion alone is not enough.

Bloomberg's financial commitment will allow background check supporters to counter NRA propaganda with facts and provide the political expertise that was so sorely lacking when this issue came to a vote in February.

Unlike many great legislative efforts, the fight for comprehensive background checks has the advantage of beginning with overwhelming public support. What it needs to overcome is simply lawmakers' fear that they'll be targeted by the NRA if they do anything other than put guns in the hands of whoever wants them, whenever they want them, regardless of their criminal record or mental health.

Our hope is that Bloomberg's funding will help the majority's view be heard over the shouts of the NRA and other gun lobbying organizations.

"This is a battle for the hearts and minds of America, so that we can protect our children, protect innocent people," Bloomberg told NBC's "Today Show."

Even with Bloomberg's assistance, the battle for gun background checks will be difficult and nasty. But with courage and a commitment to common sense, we expect reasonable voices will triumph over fear and misinformation, and New Hampshire will close its dangerous background check loopholes.